UK

As anecdotal sightings of tent caterpillars in central Kentucky give rise to concerns that this might be a bumper crop for the region, entomologists at the University of Kentucky have weighed in with guidelines to control the pests. Dr. Jonathan Larson, an entomologist at the UK's Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, said that they do not currently have data to support the notion that this year is worse than others, but indicated that a survey would be sent to farm managers to gauge their opinions. However, he said,...

After numerous sightings of the nests of Eastern Tent caterpillar nest on his farm, Frank Taylor said that he has been vigilant this season about spraying to destroy the nests. As the weather warms up, and the caterpillars are leaving the nests and making their way elsewhere, this is the time of year when they could become dangerous to pregnant mares. That is what happened from 1999 to 2001, when accidental ingestion of the caterpillars was linked to Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome (MRLS), when 3,500 foals were lost. While this...

Saturday, Newmarket, post time: 14:40, THE BETMGM SUN CHARIOT STAKES-G1, £275,000, 3yo/up, 8fT Field: Cheshire Dancer (Ire) (Phoenix Of Spain {Ire}), Cinderella's Dream (GB) (Shamardal), Fallen Angel (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), Lady Of Spain (Ire) (Phoenix Of Spain {Ire}), Sparks Fly (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}), Spiritual (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), Atsila (Ire) (Phoenix Of Spain {Ire}), Blue Bolt (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}), Cathedral (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), Saqqara Sands (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}). TDN Analysis: All the current momentum is with the Prix Rothschild and Matron Stakes winner Fallen...

Saturday, Newmarket, post time: 15:00, THE TATTERSALLS MIDDLE PARK STAKES-G1, £291,580, 2yo, c, 6fT Field: Brussels (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Coppull (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}), First Approach (Ire) (No Nay Never), Five Ways (GB) (Kameko), Havana Hurricane (GB) (Havana Gold {Ire}), Hilitany (GB) (Ubettabelieveit (Ire), Kansas (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), The Publican's Son (Beau Liam), Wise Approach (Ire) Mehmas {Ire}). TDN Analysis: Gstaad's absence has taken something away from this Middle Park, where Godolphin's Morny third Wise Approach sets the standard as he bids to emulate his half-brother Perfect Power...

Group 1 winner Lead Artist has been retired and will stand at Juddmonte's Banstead Manor Stud next year. The homebred son of Dubawi won the G1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury in May. From the same family as Dansili, the John and Thady Gosden trainee broke his maiden over a mile at York at three, with additional victories in the G3 Thoroughbred Stakes and the G3 Darley Stakes that year. His Lockinge victory was the highlight of his four starts this term and his record stands at 11-4-3-1 and $713,878 in...

A number of changes to the upcoming 2025/2026 National Hunt programme, including a minimum rating requirement for Grade 1 novice and juvenile hurdles, were announced by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) on Thursday. Horses will only be allowed to run in the top-level contests should they have achieved a rating of 110 or higher, either through a published handicap mark or as assessed by the BHA handicapper to have to raced to that level in at least one hurdle run. There is also an increase in the number of weight-for-age...

The University of Kentucky has terminated the employment of former lab director Scott Scanley following what they call "a serious breach of ethics and policy violations related to misconduct and mismanagement of the institution's former Equine Analytical Chemistry Lab (EACL), which provided drug testing for the equine industry," according to a Sept. 11 press release from UK. After the initial findings from a UK Internal Audit investigation, the university announced last September that it had begun the process to revoke Scott Stanley's tenure as a faculty member, with the intention...

Thursday, Doncaster, post time: 15:00, THE BETFRED PARK HILL FILLIES' STAKES-G2, £150,000, 3yo/up, f/m, 14f 115yT Field: Chorus (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Danielle (GB) (Cracksman {GB}), Elana Osario (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Queens Fort (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), Santorini Star (Ire) (Golden Horn {GB}), Strassia (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}), Zilfee (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Consent (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Crepe Suzette (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), Floresta (Ire) (Waldgeist {GB}), Secret Of Love (GB) (Sea The Monn {Ger}). TDN Verdict: Connections of Danielle will be hoping it gets softer for the...

Ellis Park and the Kentucky HBPA will present College Day on Sunday, July 27 with 27 lucky full-time students winning a prize. In partnership with Ellis Park, the Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association will conduct three separate drawings before each of nine races to give out a $1,000 scholarship, an iPad Mini with AirPods package and a $150 Amazon gift card. First post is 11:50 a.m. CST and full-time students can register throughout the afternoon to be eligible for any remaining drawings. Representatives from the University of Kentucky's Ag...

A total of 40 networks, covering over 170 territories, will broadcast QIPCO British Champions Day. Racecourse Media Group (RMG) and HBA Media (HBA), working with QIPCO British Champions Series, have secured global coverage of the £4.1m raceday, which includes four Group 1 races. Fox Sports US will showcase the full card for the first time on Fox Sports 1, while ESPN / Disney + and SuperSport will broadcast to their significant South American and African audiences. The Green Channel (Japan) and HKJC, Cable TV, TVB and Now TV (Hong Kong)...

A report issued by Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU) and Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) into HIWU's investigation of the University of Kentucky Equine Analytical Chemistry Laboratory (UK-EACL) cites multiple failures on the part of the lab and the lab director, Dr. Scott Stanley, including "intentional misrepresentations" of positive tests as negative. In a press conference Tuesday, HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus said that HISA was "cooperating" with federal law enforcement, and that possible criminal charges could be leveled against Stanley for some of the alleged offences detailed in...

Italy's major races will see the most significant downgrades among European countries after the European Pattern Committee announced alterations to the 2023 Flat programme Wednesday, as a host of that country's major races are set to be demoted in status. There will be 827 black-type races run in Europe this year, compared to the 852 in 2022, while group races have been cut by 13 to 412 and listed races drop to 415 from 427. One of the most significant changes to the Irish programme comes in the case of...